ROME IN THE SECOND CENTURY A.D. 
259 
modern times. See Ep. i. 12; iii. 5: "To choose between life 
and death," says Pliny, " according to the guidance of reason, is the 
mark of a great mind."* Voluptuousness and coarseness of the age, 
and consequent decline of intellectual vigour at Borne, amidst the 
growing introduction of the licence of the camp into the halls of 
Italian nobles, aided even by the example of the Emperor himself. 
Contrast of prevailing tone with pursuits of a dilettante like 
Spurinna, as described by Pliny, junior; and still more with 
genuine hard work of a literary man like Pliny the elder. Ke- 
marks on prevalent taste for splendid buildings, and little com- 
parative appreciation of the beauties of nature. Some surviving 
instances of manliness in a Trajan or a Juvenal. The contrast 
drawn in the Panegyric of Pliny the younger between the feelings 
of a Domitian and a Trajan on the occasion of the annual taking 
of the military oath ; the perturbation of the former, and the 
calm self-possession of the latter, " who knows that the oath is 
everywhere being taken to him, for he too has pledged himself by 
oath to all the citizens." Pliny and the Christians, and his request 
for instructions how to deal with them ; with his testimony to 
their general innocence and religious observances, but unflinching 
adherence to what he deemed a superstition and disloyalty to the 
Emperor and his cultas. Trajan's instructions to suppress anything 
like an hetceria, or brotherhood, but not to seek for informations, 
and above all to reject anonymous denunciations, as contrary to 
the spirit of his government. Gradual transition to Christianity ; 
decay of old beliefs, and preparation almost imperceptibly made 
for substitution of a nobler and manly faith, as brought to its 
triumph in the fourth century, and finally adopted by the young 
blood of barbarous nations. Progressive decadence of the Empire, 
and transference of imperial power from true Italian blood to 
barbarian or semi-barbarian. Summary : Trajan's reign marked 
by some apparent moral ameliorations, as compared with those of 
previous emperors ; yet the moral sense was blunted, and even 
Pliny the younger is seen to refer to subjects which cannot bear 
the light as though they were not so very extraordinary. t Case 
* The Stoic philosophy, however, taught a healthier view of life, and 
doubtless nerved many who were all but unhinged to bear patiently the 
pains and sufferings of the present life. And on the whole Pliny fell in with 
the sounder Stoical view, though sometimes inconsistent. 
t Sec Ep. v. 13 ; viii. 4. 
